Kirrie Thistle welcomed East Craigie to Westview Park for their first home fixture of the season with the Jags looking to follow up their 3-1 victory against Scone last time out with another win. Without last weeks goal hero Millar and the suspended trio of Duffy, Farquharson and Muckersie Thistle fielded a slightly changed side from last time out but still started brightly with Murdoch striking from distance minutes in. The first half began in a scrappy way with neither side truly testing one another's goalkeepers until Black for Craigie volleyed inches over the bar. Once again soon after, the visitors were allowed too much space in the box and Salisbury knocked on before seeing his goal-bound effort blocked by teammate Gray. 

Kirrie were on the back foot and fell behind five minutes before the half with Maloney finding space on the edge of the box and curling into the top right corner. The second half started the same as the first very tight with little between both sides, Cushnie with Thistles first effort on target failed to test Logie. A glorious chance fell to Cox on sixty minutes when Mark McDonald found him with a brilliant long ball however instead of finding the target his lobbed attempt floated just wide. The game flipped on its head when referee McCabe sent Maloney from the field for abusive language after a foul. Thistle began to press more but found the East Craigie defence stubborn and Logie made a good save to deny Thomson a headed goal. The hosts had keeper Sloan to thank for keeping the score at two when Mcdonald crossed for Mann to head on goal. The debut keeper made a fantastic save to flick the ball over the bar. The numbers were levelled up fifteen minutes from the end when Murdoch was sent off for a second yellow, but just when Kirrie thought all hope was gone a hopeful ball into the box by veteran Paterson floated over the midfield, defence and finally Logie in the away goal into the top corner. After muted celebrations Thistle continued to push but the dogged Craigie defence held strong.

Elsewhere there were major shocks all around with Blairgowrie defeating Downfield 2-1, Lochee Harp recovering from their heavy defeat last week with a good 4-2 win against Kinnoull. Coupar Angus top the table after a comfortable 3-1 win away to Lochore whilst Forfar Albion sit bottom after a 4-1 loss against Glenrothes, last weeks opponents Scone will be happy after beating league contenders Dundee North End 2-1. 

Thistle face Arbroath Vics at Westview Park next time out before a free week. 

Glen Barclay